Chiles and Bleakley's partnership goes sour

By Jason Wright (Entertainment Expert)

IT SEEMED like a match made in heaven.  When Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley left BBC’s The One Show in a massive media frenzy last year to front Daybreak, ITV’s breakfast replacement for the ailing GMTV, it looked like ITV could finally take a hold to the growing popularity of BBC’s Breakfast programme.  They were wrong.  Now, 15 months into the mockery of a project, Chiles and Bleakley have paid for their gamble, with their jobs.

     So where did it all go wrong for Daybreak?  Firstly, the chemistry that was strongly built on The One Show could never be captivated at the time of first thing in the morning.  Many experts commented that Bleakley was “too light-headed” and Chiles “too grumpy” for breakfast television.  Secondly, the way the programme has been run is seen as a total laughingstock.  At times, it looks like as if the production team hardly pay attention to the news stories, often usually focusing on the main entertainment topics and showcasing weird and sometimes stupid talents.  Do people care about seeing what bubble art or speed stacking is like just before going to work?

DEPARTED: Daybreak will no longer feature Adrian or Christine

     Not surprisingly, ratings have rapidly gone down since the show’s launch last September and last week, reached a new low of just 350,000 viewers, compared to a peak of 1.5 million who watch BBC Breakfast.  Chiles is unimpressed with the decision taken, quoted as saying; “We were assured we could go with our dignity intact.  That’s obviously not happened.  We were enjoying the show and we thought things were going well.  We didn’t want to go.”

     Now attention turns to who will take over, with production of the programme being transferred entirely to ITV Studios.  The main favourites are likely to be sports reporter Dan Lobb and showbiz correspondent Kate Garraway, being promoted to full-time presenters.  They have currently been serving as a relief presenting team to Chiles and Bleakley.  Other big names being mentioned including Natasha Kaplinsky, who has recently joined ITV News from Channel 5, Keir Simmons, who currently serves as a reporter on ITV News and Sian Williams, who is due to leave BBC Breakfast next year ahead of the programme’s relocation to the new MediaCityUK studios in Salford.  However, Eamonn Holmes has rejected the chance to rejoin the ITV breakfast franchise, by signing a new three-year deal to front Sunrise on Sky News.

    As with Chiles and Bleakley, they will now move onto concentrating on their main ITV commitments.  As well as being promised new projects, Chiles will remain the broadcaster main anchor for Champions League, FA Cup and next year’s UEFA European Championships football coverage as well as staying on as frontman of That Sunday Night Show.  Bleakley will stay on to host selected entertainment specials, as well as taking over as co-host to Phillip Schofield on the upcoming new series of Dancing On Ice, following Holly Willoughby’s decision to co-host the UK version of the popular US talent contest, The Voice on BBC.

     The pair will certainly have nothing to worry about for the future for now but surely, a failure of a show like this will decrease their already declining popularities with viewers even further.

BBC Television Centre up for sale

AFTER 50 years at its iconic London site on Wood Lane, BBC Television Centre was put up for sale last Monday.  The corporation, who gave their first indications of a possible sale for the site back in 2007, have decided to cash in as part of their budget restructuring plans.  Currently, BBC Television Centre is home to 5,000 employees, but by 2015, the site will be completely vacated.

     Relocation is already in the process of taking place.  BBC News will move its services to the modernised Broadcasting House near Oxford Circus.  Meanwhile, the children’s and sports departments will move to Salford.  Football Focus and Match of the Day will begin their new seasons at their new home, whilst BBC Breakfast is moving to Salford in January 2012.

SALE: BBC Television Centre is going under the hammer

     The BBC is looking for a buyer that will ‘maximise the value’ for itself.  They are hoping for a final sale figure of a price between £300million and £350million, though some property experts are expecting leading bids to only total £200million.  Interest has to be given by prospective bidders by July 1.  By selling the building, the BBC hopes to save £20million a year, which is enough to pay for 30 more hours of top-notch drama.  Reaction has been mixed to the news of the Beeb’s decision.  BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey used Twitter to express his fondness for Television Centre; “The place I call home is for sale.  I love BBC TV Centre.  It’s played a huge role in the history of British TV and my life.”  Comedian Charlie Brooker wasn’t so impressed with the news; “It’s like they’re going to saw up the Tardis and use it for firewood.”

     BBC Television Centre has a very distinguished history.  Classic programmes such as Doctor Who, Fawlty Towers, Allo Allo and Blue Peter are among the programmes that have been filmed at Television Centre.  The centre has also been home to controversy and embarrassment too.  The launch night of BBC Two in April 1964 had to be cancelled due to a massive powercut on the site.  In October 2009, protestors against the BNP stormed the reception of Television Centre when controversial BNP leader Nick Griffin appeared on Question Time. 

     Nevertheless, no-one can take any gloss over a sensational half century of programming and memories at BBC Television Centre.

Cameron leads air strikes on Libya

BRITISH forces have moved in on Libya, as air strikes have begun or the regime of Colonel Gadaffi.  David Cameron, Barack Obama and French president Nicholas Sarkozy have sent their men over in an attempt to stop the growing unrest

     Here is the report into the air strikes from BBC Breakfast yesterday morning, which includes Cameron's speech on Saturday night to the British public, confirming the move into Libya.